Stupa of State Preceptor Wongong from Geodonsa Temple Site, Wonju

This is the sari stupa (reliquary pagoda) of State Preceptor Wongong, a monk of the early Goryeo period, which remained at the site of Geodonsa Temple. During the Japanese colonial period it was kept at the home of a Japanese individual; it was moved to Gyeongbokgung Palace in 1948, and is now located on the grounds of the National Museum of Korea. At present the pagoda begins directly with the platform, without a base stone. The platform consists of three support stones, each octagonal in form. On the lower support stone, blind niches (a decorative panel motif) are carved on each face, with a flower-shaped pattern set within them. The middle support stone has a rim carved along its upper and lower edges, and the Eight Legions (a group of Buddhist guardian deities) are carved within the blind niches. On the upper support stone, two tiers of fully opened lotus petals are carved in relief. The octagonal body of the pagoda has pillar-shaped carvings at each corner, and each of the eight pillars is decorated with a floral pattern. On the faces, door shapes and lock shapes are carved on the front and back, window shapes on the left and right, and standing images of the Four Heavenly Kings on the remaining four faces. The roof stone is also octagonal; where it meets the body stone, four tiers of supports are carved, and above them rafters are carved in imitation of wooden construction. The eaves are thin, with a pronounced upward lift at the eight corners, and the roof-tile ridges carved on the sloping surfaces extend to the eaves, even rendering the shape of the eave-end tiles, faithfully reproducing the roof of a wooden building. At the very top sits an octagonal treasure canopy (a roof-shaped ornament). The inscription on the stupa records its erection in the year 'Taepyeong Eulchuk, autumn, seventh month', corresponding to 1025, the 16th year of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo, so the sari stupa is presumed to have been made at that time. As a representative octagonal sari stupa of the early Goryeo period, it inherits the neat and refined style of Unified Silla pagodas, showing fine proportions and a dignified, weighty character, with carving that flows throughout to give it a solemn yet splendid appearance.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Designation

Treasure · 보물